Reciprocating electric shaver having multiple shearing surfaces on outer and inner cutters



June 17, 1958 A. LUSSIER 2,838,836

RECIPROCATING ELECTRIC SHAVER HAVING MULTIPLE SHEARING SURFACES N OUTERAND INNER 'CUTTERS Filed Feb. 16, 1954 I 2 SI 1eets-Sheetl m i j n ununum 60 nun m1 ATTORNEYS.

June 17, 1958 A. LUSSIER 2,838,836

RECIPROCATING ELECTRIC SHAVER HAVING MULTIPLE SHEARING SURFACES on OUTERAND INNER CUTTERS Filed Feb. 16. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent RECIPROCATING ELECTRIC SHAVER HAVING MULTIPLESHEARING SURFACES 0N OUTER AND INNER'CUTTERS Alphonse Lussier,Waterbury, Conn.

Application February 16, 1954, Serial No. 410,559

15 Claims. (Cl. 30-41) This invention relates to an electric shaver,particularly of the type in which there is a stationary outerskinengaging cutter and guide, and an inner reciprocable movable cutteron the inner side of the outer cutter having cutting edges cooperatingwith those of the outer cutter to provide a shearing action for cuttingthe hairs.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved means formounting the outer cutter and securing it in place whereby it may beeasily removed and replaced, for turning to expose different sides foruse, and for periodical cleaning.

It is also an object to provide an improved means of providing thenecessary pressure between the inner and the outer cutter, and toprovide means whereby there is a. controlled or adjustable skin-lineshaving action for light or heavy whiskers, with means whereby thepressure may be easily reduced or increased to exactly satisfy theperson according to the type of skin he may have; that is, to provide astructure whereby the shaver may be set for light pressure of the cutterfor use by a man with a light heard, so as to prevent irritation to adelicate or tender skin, which would be caused by heavy pressure, andalso whereby the pressure may be increased or a relatively heavypressure used for cutters for men with heavy beards.

A further object is to provide improved means for mounting the innercutter and uniformly maintaining the pressure desired.

It is a still further object to provide a shaver of this type with aninner cutter provided with bifacial or double shaving sides which areeasily interchangeable so that in efiect a new cutter may be secured bymerely reversing this inner cutter.

Still another object is to provide an improved and simplifiedconstruction for the inner cutter, and another object is to provide ashaver with large spaces and air passages for holding accumulatedshavings and prevent clogging of the shaver.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised theconstruction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention isnot limited to the specific details of construction and arrangementshown, but may embody various changes and modifications Within the scopeof the invention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of this improved shaver:

Fig. 2 is an end view looking from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view;

Fig. 4 is an end view looking from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section substantially on the plane of line 6 inFig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section substantially on line 77 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a blank which may be blanked ice cutter;

Fig. 9 is a partial section and partial elevation 1llustrating theimproved method of grinding the shearing or cutting edges on the innercutter;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one end portion of the inner cutter inits operative form;

Fig. 11 is a detail section of a means of mounting the inner cutter,taken substantially on line 11-11 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a side view looking from the left of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is an inner side view of the supporting members for the oppositeends of the outer cutter.

This improved shaver is of the palm-size type in which the body orhousing enclosing the motor, and on which the cutter head is mounted, isof a size to fit snugly in the palm of the hand for greater comfort andmore effective handling during the shaving operation, the cutter headbeing mounted on the top side of this body. In the construction andarrangement shown, the body or housing 1 comprises three sections 2, 3and 4 preferably of suitable molded plastic material, section 4 beingthe lower section and the sections 2 and 3 being mounted side by side ontop of the lower section 4 and secured thereto by any suitable means,such, for example, as the screws 5. These sections provide a hollowhousing or body with an enclosed chamber 6 in which is mounted theoperating electric motor 7, which may be of any of the standard types ofmotors used for this device operating a rotary shaft 8. A condenserusually required for this type of motor is mounted in the chamber 6 atone end thereof, as shown at 9, and the lower section 4 of the housingmay be molded with a recess 10 opening either through the bottom or oneside thereof providing a supporting cross wall 11 for the pin contacts12 to be inserted in the female plug-in connector (not shown) connectedby conductor wires to the usual means for plugging into any standardoutlet of a house wiring system, with suitable electrical conductors 13connecting these contact pins to the condenser and the motor in theusual manner.

The cutter head 14, as previously indicated, is mounted on the top ofthe housing or body 1, and part of it is made of plastic materialintegral with the sections 2 and 3 of the housing, this housing alsoforming the hand grip for holding the device while in use. The cutterhead comprises an outer cylindrical cutter and guide 15 of thin temperedsteel, having perforated or slotted surfaces 16 for entrance of hairsduring the shaving operation, and providing sharp cutting or shearingedges on the inner surface of the outer cutter cooperating with thecutting or shearing edges on the outer surface of the inner or movablecutter 17 to secure the shearing and shaving effect. The outercylindrical cutter 15 is of reduced thickness to bring the cutting edgesclose to the surface of the skin to secure a close shaving action. It isprovided with outwardly. extending hollow longitudinal V-shaped ribs 18,there being four of these ribs spaced equally about the periphery, orthat is, ninety degrees apart, and between each pair of these ribs thecylindrical or curved surface 16 of this cutter is provided with rows ofperforations, which as shown in the present case are transverselyarranged elongated slots 19. In the arrangement shown, between each pairof ribs 18 there are two rows of these perforations or slots 19separated by a narrow imperforate strip 20 (Fig. 2). The V-shaped ribs18 are also provided with transversely extending slots 21, which, asshown in Fig. 6, are extended from each side of the rib into theadjacent cylindrical portion 16 of the cutter forming in effect a comb,and are separated at their ends from the rows of perforations or slots19 by an imperforate strip 22 (Fig.2) similar to the strip 20. Theseimperforate strips add strength and stiffness to the surface of thecutter to assist in maintaining its proper shape under the pressure ofthe skin during the shaving operation.

This outer cutter is mounted in a saddle comprising extensions 23projecting above and molded in one piece with the sections 2 and 3 ofthe housing, as shown in Fig. 6, and these two sections of the saddlecomprise a curved seat 24 in which the lower portion, preferablysubstantially one-half, of the outer cylindrical cutter is seatedleaving substantially the upper haif exposed. The curved surface 24 isprovided with longitudinal channels 25 in which the longitudinal ribs 18may seat, and thus provide a simple and effective means for locating andholding the outer cutter in proper angular position. It also so holdsthe cutter that any one of the four cylindrical or transversely curvedportions 16 may be located at the outer exposed side of the cutter toprovide the skin-engaging surface for the shaving operation. This formof cutter therefore in effect provides four different stationary orface-engaging cutters or shaving surfaces, any one of which may be usedafter one or more of the others become dull.

This cylindrical outer cutter is retained seated in its supportingsaddle by end blocks 26 at its opposite ends. As" shown in Pin. 13, thetop edge of this block is concavely curved, as shown at 27, and justinwardly of this curve the inner surface of the block is provided withcircular grooves 28 to receive the edges of the somewhat thickened, andtherefore strengthened, end portion 29 of the cutter 15, as shown inFig. 5, the lower walls of the groove 28 being extended inwardly, asindicated at 39, forming a seat on which the lower sides of theseportions 29 rest. These two end blocks 26 are of a width to overlap theopposite ends of the saddle portions 23 of the housing and are securedthereto. Both blocks are provided with longitudinal openings 31 for thesecuring means, tic left hand block being secured to the saddle portions23 by the long screws 32, as shown in Fig. 7. Quickly releasable meansis provided for securing the opposite block at the right hand end. Thiscomprises a pair of studs 33 molded on the ends of the saddle portions23 and pass through the openings 3i in this block, as shown in Fig. 7.They are of a length to project a short distance beyond the outer sideof the block, and these projections are each provided with a notch orgroove 34 on their opposed inner sides to receive the outer edges offlanges 35, Figs. 2 and 7, of a suitable catch mounted for turningmovements on a stud 36 threaded into the outer side of the block 26, andhaving a knurled hand knob 37 whereby it may be rotated on this stud toshift the flanges 35 to and from a position seating in the recesses 34,the opposite sides of this catch being flattened as indicated at 53, sothat when this catch is turned at right angles to the position of Fig.2, the flanges 35 are free of the recesses 34. When they are in thisposition the block 26 is released and may be shifted outwardly a shortdistance, or wholly removed if desired, to release this end of the outercutter 15. However, it is not necessary to entirely remove this block inorder to permit removal of the cutter. It is merely necessary to movethis right hand block 26 outwardly a sufficient distance to release theend of the cutter 15 and a sufficient additional distance to permit thiscutter to be shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. to release itsopposite end from the corresponding grooves 28 in the block 26 at theopposite end of the cutter. Then the cutter may be easily lifted fromthe saddle for turning, to bring a new curved surface 16 to the outerside, for replacing with a' new cutter, or for cleaning or any otherpurpose. It may be as easily and quickly replaced or remounted in thesaddle by merely placing it on the curved surfaces 24, sliding it to theleft a short distance to insert its left hand end edge in the groove 28in the left hand block 26, and then the right hand block '26 may beshifted inward-lyor to the left to seat the right hand end of thecylinder in the grooves 28 in this block. Then the catch may be turnedto shift its flanges 35 to seat their edges in the groove 34 in thestuds 33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7.

The molded saddle portions 23 include longitudinally spaced notches 39in their outer edge portions leading from the outer cutter to recessesor chambers 40 formed in the opposite outer sides of these extensionsfor passage of shavings from the cutters into these chambers orreceptacles during the shaving operation. The outer sides of thesechambers or shavings receptacles are closed by thin slidable gatemembers 41 which may be mounted to slide longitudinally at theiropposite edges in grooves or channels 42 formed at the upper and lowersides of these chambers. They will be retained in this position by thetwo blocks 26 at their opposite ends, but on removal of either block 26these members 41 may he slid out of position to expose the chambers 40for cleaning and removal of any accumulation of shavings there may be inthem. For ordinary cleaning or removal of these accumulations ofshavings, however, each of the end blocks 26 is provided with an opening43 leading to these chambers at the lower sides thereof through which asmall round brush may be passed for cleaning out any accumulation ofshavings which may be in these chambers.

The inner movable cutter 17 is of improved and simplifled construction,and is supported in an improved mounting which will maintain properpressure uniformly between this cutter and the inner surface of theouter cutter 15 to secure proper and uniform shaving action, and alsoprovide means whereby the pressure between the cutters may be easily andquickly adjusted to suit users having different types of beards or skinsof different degrees of tenderness. That is, the pressure of the innercutter on the outer cutter may be easily adjusted and varied accordingto different conditions for most effective operation and leastirritation under all conditions.

This inner cutter is mounted for longitudinal sliding and reciprocatingmovement within the outer cutter 15, and it is provided with bifacial ordual cutting surfaces 44 and 45 arranged on diametrically opposite sidesof the cutter. These could either be identical or could be different fordifferent shaving effects. They each coniprise a series of transverselycurved blades 46 spaced longitudinally of the cutter and longitudinallycurved, or that is, curved in a direction transversely of the cutter,and accurately ground on the arc of a circle of slightly larger diameterthan the diameter of the inner surface of the outer cutter 15 so as toalways maintain a pressure between the inner cutter and the outercutter, and thus always effect a shearing action between them. Thisslightly larger diameter of the inner cutter does not interfere with theinsertion of this cutter into the outer cutter, because in performingthis operation all that is necessary is to press laterally inwardsomewhat on the opposite sides of the outer cutter, which will cause itto become elongated somewhat in the vertical plane sufficient to permiteasy insertion of the inner cutter, after which release of the outercutter will cause it by its resilient action to tend to return to itstrue circular or cylindrical form, thus providing pressure between theopposite curved surfaces of the inner cutter and the outer cutter.However, additional means is provided for increasing the pressurebetween the inner cutter and the outer exposed skin-engaging section 16of the outer cutter, as will presently be described.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 8 and 10, the inner cutter is formed fromsheet steel of proper thickness. It is stamped in the form as shown inFig. 8, with a body portion 47 of proper width and length, and two rowsof longitudinally spaced slots 48 forming transverse bars between themfor the cutter teeth 46. There are also provided on each of the oppositeends of the blank rectangular extensions 53. Then the opposite sideedges stantially rectangular cross section, as shown more specificallyin Fig. 10, but also as indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, with the bladesor bars 46 on the diametrically opposite narrower top and bottom edgesof the cutter and extending transversely thereof. These blades are alsolongitudinally curved, or that is, curved in a direction transversely ofthe cutter, and accurately ground after the cutter is properly hardenedand tempered, so that their outer surfaces form parts of a cylinder of aslightly larger diameter than the inner diameter of the outercylindrical cutter 15, as previously indicated. The blank is also foldedin a direction so that the. sharp round cutting edges 52 are on theouter curved sides of these blades or bars and thus are located againstthe inner surface of the outer cutter 15 and cooperate with the inneredges of the perforations or slots 19 in this cutter for the shearingoperation. The cutter 17 is preferably of a width, as shown in Fig. 6,to extend laterally beyond the imperforate strips 22 of the outer cutterto substantially the adjacent edges of the ribs 18 and therefore so asto overlap the slotted cylindrical portion between these ribs and theimperforate strips 22 (that is, the outer end portions of the transverseslots in the ribs 18) to thus provide a wide shaving surface. This alsoprovides relatively long shearing blades 46 on the inner cutter with agood wide bearing surface on the inner side of the outer cutter toreduce wear on the cutters.

When forming the inner cutter to substantially rectangular shape, theopposite free edges 54 and 55 are so arranged as to abut on one side ofthe cutter, as shown in Fig. 10, and they therefore support each'otheragainst lateral or inward crushing pressures. When folded to thisposition the extension 53 on the opposite ends of the blank projectlongitudinally from the opposite ends of the cutter and side by side asshown in Fig. 10. They are offset or bent inwardly, as shown at 56, sothat their free portions are spaced apart less than the width orthickness of the body of the cutter, so as to seat in sockets 57insupporting members 58 for mounting this inner cutters These members 58are upright socket members with the rectangular socket 57 openingthrough the top and one side, and each has an internally threadedextensionor stem 59 (Fig. 11) telescoping within a supporting member 60surrounded by a coil spring 61 pressing at its opposite ends against theunder side of the head portion 58 and the head of a verticallyadjustable plug 60a threaded into the lower endof portion 60, as shownat 60b. There is atransverse bar 62 on a threaded stem 63 threaded intothe extension 59. Bar 62 is located in a transverse notch 64. in thelower end of the plug 60a which acts as a guide for this cross bar 62and prevents turning of this bar and the screw 63 relative to plug 60a.There are two of these upright cylindrical .members 60, one at each ofthe opposite ends of the operating shaft 65, provided at its. centerwith a block or enlarged portion 66 provided in its under side with .atransverse recess or socket 67 to receive the .eccentrically locatedroller or cam member 68 on the motor shaft 8. Thus the rotation of thisshaft will longitudinally reciprocate the shaft 65 mounted in opposedbearings in the inner abutting surfaces of the saddle extensions 23, andthrough the end members 58 will operate the inner movable cutter 1.7with a longitudinal back and forth oscillating movement. Themembers 60are in the upright channels or recesses 26a in the inner sides of theend blocks 26, while the members 58 are in the recesses 27. The innercutter is mounted in these members 58 by merely inserting the extensions53 in the sockets 57 in these members.

It will also be seen that when in this position the springs 61-will tendto'lift the supporting socket members 58 and press the upper edge or rowof cutter blades 46 of the inner cutter against the inner surface of thetop or skin-engaging section 16 of the outer cutter 15. These springswill hold the inner cutter against the inner surface of the outer cutterwith a uniform pressure for indefinite operation, it being veryimportant in this type of shaving apparatus that the proper pressure beapplied from the inner cutter to the outer cutter to secure the propershearing action. Experience has shown that close line shaves can besecured only by squeezing or pressing the inner cutter against theinside perforated surface of the outer cutter as close as possible andunder constant pressure. The greater the squeeze pressure the closer theshave. The structure and arrangement of this device definitelyaccomplishes this all-important action. However, in the present case, byadjusting the plug 60a up or down by relative turning movement betweenthese members and the member 60, the tension of these springs may bereadily adjusted and made either lighter or heavier as desired whenpressing the inner movable cutter against the outer cutter and thereforevary and control this pressure, de-

pending on the shaving conditions and also depending on.

the tenderness of the skin of the user. That is, lighter pressures maybe used for lighter beards and more tender skins, While heavierpressures may be employed for heavier beards. The upright rectangularextensions 53 for the inner cutter form a rigid support for the cutterand also hold it rigidly in the upright proper shaving position, asindicated in Fig. 6. They also provide a support for this inner cutterwhereby it may be easily and quickly reversed to bring either set ofcutting teeth 44 or 45 into the shaving position at the inner surface ofthe upper outer skin-engaging portion 16 of the outer cutter 15. Thistype of cutter therefore provides a bifa-cial cutter, or that is,provides two or double shaving sides for the inner cutter which, whenone set of blades becomes dull, may be easily and quickly turned orreversed to bring another or sharp set of blades to the shavingposition, thus greatly increasing the useful life of the cutter. As thegreater pressure for the shaving operation is between the outer or upperset of blades on the inner movable cutter, there is very little wear ontheinner or lower set of blades and they are maintained in the sharpenedcondition. It will also be seen from Fig. 6 that large spaces or airpassages 69 and 70 are provided within the cutters, pre ventingaccumulation of the shavings and therefore preventing clogging of thecutters. The shavings are also readily carried to the receptacles 40, aspreviously described, from which they may be readily removed, aspreviously indicated.

It will be seen from the above that this provides a simple and effectiveelectric shaver comprising a minimum number of parts, that both theouter and inner cutters have a plurality of shaving sections or sectionswhich may be readily shifted to the shaving position, thus greatlyprolonging the useful life of the shaver and permitting the user toquickly put the shaver in condition for most effective operation, andthat the proper pressure may be provided at all times between the innercutter and the outer cutter for the most favorable and effective shavingoperationg still further, that both cutters may be easily and quicklyremoved from their mountings and the cutter head for renewal or cleaningpurposes and as readily remountedJ The combs formed by the longtransverse slots in the longitudinal ribs 18 guide the long hairs intoshearing position in front of the blades on the inner cutter, the bendsin the comb bars or teeth caused by the ribs also acting as guides ormeans to lift up hairs bent or slots.

Also the pressure'of the inner movable cutter against the outerstationary cutter may be varied and controlled by using lighter orheavier springs 61.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim: a

1. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including an outer hollowstationary cutter having a perforated transversely curved section toengage the surface of the skin, a longitudinally reciprocable hollowcutter within the stationary cutter comprising laterally spaced sidewalls connected at each of their opposite edges by a series oflongitudinally spaced transversely curved cutting blades with the twoseries separated and integrally connected by the side walls, one of saidseries located at the inner surface of said perforated section of thestationary cutter to cooperate therewith for a shearing action, mountingmeans for the inner cutter comprising a support provided with meansadapted to removably support the cutter with either series of cuttingblades located at the inner surface of the perforated section forcooperation therewith for the shaving operation, and driving means forlongitudinally reciprocating the inner cutter.

2. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including an outer hollowstationary cutter having diametrically opposite transversely curvedperforated sections, mounting means for said cutter comprising a supportprovided with means adapted to removably support the cutter with eithersection exposed to engage the surface of the skin, a longitudinallyreciprocable hollow inner cutter within the outer cutter comprisinglaterally spaced parallel unslotted side walls integrally connected ateach of their opposite edges by a series of longitudinally spacedtransverse curved cutting blades, mounting means for the inner cutteradapted to removably support it with either series located at the innersurface of the exposed section to cooperate therewith for the shavingoperation, and driving means for longitudinally reciprocating the innercutter.

3. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including an outer hollowcylindrical stationary cutter provided with four peripherally spacedlongitudinally extending outwardly projecting ribs dividing its surfaceinto four transversely curved sections which are perforated to provideshearing edges on the inner surfaces of said sections,

mounting means for said cutter including means for removably positioningit with any one of said perforated sections exposed for contact with thesurface of the skin and including means cooperating with said ribs forposi- V tioning the cutter with any one of said sections in the ablysupport this cutter with either series of blades held against the innersurface of the exposed section of the outer cutter for cooperationtherewith for the shaving operation, and driving means forlongitudinally reciproeating the inner cutter.

4. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including an outer hollowstationary cutter having a perforated cylindrical section exposed forcontact with the surface of the skin, a hollow inner cutter of oblongcross section having a pair of diametrically opposite series oflongitudinally spaced curved cutting blades connected by integral spacedunslotted side walls and adapted for contact with the inner surface ofthe perforated section to cooperate therewith for the shaving operation,mounting means for the inner cutter including a support provided withmeans adapted to removably support this cutter with either series ofblades held against the inner surface of nally reciprocating the innercutter.

of longitudinally spaced cutting blades comprising two series of theseblades separated and integrally connected by the side walls, said bladescurved transversely of the cutter on arcs of a circle of somewhat largerdiameter than the internal diameter of the outer cutter, said outercutter of thin flexible metal and capable of being vertically elongatedby pressure inwardly on its opposite sides to permit insertion of theinner cutter into the outer cutter with the cutter blades of the innercutter engaging the inner surface of the outer cutter on diametricallyopposite sides thereof, and driving means for longitudinallyreciprocating the inner cutter for the blades to cooperate with theperforated surface of the outer cutter for the shaving operation.

-6. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including an outerhollow cylindrical stationary cutter provided with four peripherallyspaced longitudinally extending outwardly projecting ribs dividing itssurface into four transversely curved sections which are perseries oflongitudinally spaced curved cutter blades separated by integral spacedside walls, mounting means for the inner cutter including means adaptedto removably support it with either series of blades held against theinner surface of the exposed perforated section to cooperate therewithfor the shaving operation, and driving means for longitudinallyreciprocating the inner cutter.

7. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including an outer hollowstationary cutter provided with laterally spaced longitudinallyextending outwardly projecting tapered ribs with a transversely curvedsection between them which is perforated to provide'shearing edges atthe inner surfaces of said section, said ribs provided with a series oftransverse slots extending into the adjacent curved section, meansmounting the cutter with said perforated section exposed for contactwith the sur- 5. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head includingan outer stationary hollow cylindrical perforated walls connected ateach of their opposite edges by a series face of the skin, a hollowinner cutter of oblong cross section having a pair of diametricallyopposite series of longitudinally spaced curved cutting blades separatedby integral spaced side walls and each adapted for contact with theinner surface of the perforated section to cooperate therewith for theshaving operation, mounting means for the inner cutter comprising asupport including means adapted to removably support this cutter witheither series of blades held against the inner surface of the perforatedsection, and driving means for longitudinally reciprocating the innercutter.

8. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including a hollowstationary cutter having a perforated cylindrical section to engage thesurface of the skin, a hollow reciprocable cutter within the outercutter comprising two series of longitudinally spaced transverselyextending curved cutter blades connected and separated by integralspaced side walls and each series adapted to engage the inner surface ofthe perforated section to cooperate therewith for the shaving operation,said two series of cutter blades located on diametrically opposite sidesof the inner cutter, mounting means for the inner cutter including asupport provided with resilient means adapted to removably support thiscutter with either series of blades held against the perforated section,and

driving means for reciprocating the inner cutter.

9. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including a hollowstationary cutter having a perforated cylindrical section to-engage thesurface of the skin, a hollow reciprocable cutter within the outercutter comprising sheet metal formed into an oblong cross section withspaced side walls and a series of integral longitudinally spacedtransverse curved cutter blades at each of the opposite edges thereofand earh series adapted to engage the inner surface of the perforatedsection, a longitudinally reciprocable shaft, upright supporting meansconnecting the shaft with the opposite ends of the inner cutter foroperating it and each including resilient means pressing the innercutter against the outer cutter, and means for connecting the shaft withan operating motor to reciprocate the inner cutter.

10. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including a hollowstationary cutter having a perforated cylindrical section to engage thesurface of the skin, a hollow reciprocable cutter within the outercutter comprising sheet metal formed into an oblong cross section withspaced side walls and a series of integral longitudinally spacedtransverse curved cutter blades at each of the opposite edges thereofand each series adapted to engage the inner surface of the perforatedsection, projections extending from the opposite ends of the innercutter, a longitudinally reciprocable shaft, upright supporting means onthe shaft provided with sockets in which said projections are seated toremovably support and operate the inner cutter with either series ofcutter blades engaging the outer cutter, said supporting means includingresilient means pressing the inner cutter against the outer cutter, andmeans for connecting the shaft to an operating motor to reciprocate theinner cutter.

11. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including a hollowstationary cutter having a perforated cylindrical section to engage thesurface of the skin, a hollow reciprocable cutter within the outercutter comprising sheet metal formed into an oblong cross section withspaced side walls and a series of integral longitudinally spacedtransverse curved cutter blades at each of the opposite edges thereofand each series adapted to engage the inner surface of the perforatedsection, supporting extensions projecting from the opposite ends of theinner cutter, a longitudinally reciprocable shaft, upright supports atthe opposite ends of the shaft each comprising connected relativelymovable members one of which is provided with a socket, said extensionson the inner cutter removably seated in said sockets and adapted tosupport and operate the cutter with either series of cutter blades inengagement with the inner side of the perforated section of thestationary cutter, spring means in the supports tending to shift thesocketed members to press the inner cutter against the outer cutter, andmeans for connecting the shaft to a motor to reciprocate the innercutter.

12. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including a hollowstationary cutter having a perforated cylindrical section to engage thesurface of the skin, a hollow reciprocable cutter within the outercutter comprising laterally spaced side walls integrally connecting twoseries of longitudinally spaced transversely extending curved cutterblades and each series adapted to engage the inner surface of theperforated section to cooperate therewith for the shaving operation,said two series of cutter blades located on diametrically opposite sidesof the inner cutter, a reciprocable shaft, supporting means detachablyconnecting the shaft to the opposite ends of the inner cutter foroperating it and adapted to support this cutter with either series ofcutter blades in engagement with the outer cutter, each supporting meansincluding spring means pressing the inner 10 cutter against the outercutter, and means for operating the shaft to reciprocate the innercutter.

13. An electric shaver actxarding to claim 12 in which the supportingmeans for the opposite ends of the inner cutter include means wherebythe tension of the springs may be adjusted to control the pressure ofthe inner cutter against the outer cutter and it may be varied to suitdifferent operating conditions.

14. An electric shaver comprising a cutter head including a hollowcylindrical stationary cutter having perforated side walls to engage thesurface of the skin, a housing of oblong shape to provide a hand gripand having a chamber for an operating motor, extensions on one side ofthe housing having curved surfaces providing a seat in which the outercutter is mounted and including means cooperating with the ends of thecutter to retain it in the seats, a reciprocable shaft mounted inbearings in said extensions, a hollow reciprocable inner cutter withinthe outer cutter provided with a series of longitudinally spacedtransversely extending curved cutter blades engaging the inner surfaceof the outer cutter to cooperate therewith for the shaving operation,supporting means connecting the shaft to the outer ends of the innercutter and including spring means pressing the inner cutter against theouter cutter, and means for connecting the shaft to a motor in thehousing for operating it 15. An electric shaver comprising a cutter headincluding a hollow cylindrical stationary cutter having perforated sidewalls to engage the surface of the skin, a housing of oblong shape toprovide a hand grip and having a chamber for an operating motor, saidhousing comprising a pair of connected sections of plastic materialproviding the upper side thereof and including side by side integralextensions having curved surfaces providing a seat in which the outercutter is mounted, the outer lateral sides of said extensions providedwith recesses, walls closing the outer sides of the recesses to providereceptacles for shavings and said extensions having passages leadingfrom the cutter to said receptacles, removably mounted blocks secured onthe housing sections at the opposite ends of the extensions andincluding means retaining the cutter in said seat, a hollow reciprocablecutter within the outer cutter including cutter blades at the inner sideof said perforated section to cooperate therewith for the shavingoperation, driving means for reciprocating the inner cutter, and saidend blocks provided with openings in alignment with the ends of saidreceptacles for passage of a cleaning brush to remove the shavings fromsaid receptacles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS JepsonAug. 18, 1953

